CBS interested in CNN buy if news channel becomes available

Leslie Moonves says his CBS Corp. is interested in buying the CNN news channel if it becomes available. Getting between Rupert Murdoch and Time Warner Inc. is another matter.

Moonves, who spoke to reporters yesterday at a Television Critics Association event in Beverly Hills, California, said in the past he's discussed "doing something with CNN," the pioneering cable channel owned by New York-based Time Warner, with his CBS News on broadcast. Combining the operations would allow them to share resources and save money.

While showing interest in CNN, Moonves suggested he wouldn't consider teaming up with Time Warner in a broader transaction. Time Warner shares jumped this week after the company said it rejected an unsolicited $75 billion buyout offer from Murdoch's 21st Century Fox Inc. One defense suggested by analysts is for Time Warner to combine with another media company, such as New York-based CBS.

"Nobody ever competes well against Rupert," Moonves said.

Murdoch, who is known for his tenacity in pursuing deals, would sell CNN to avoid a challenge from antitrust regulators if he can persuade New York-based Time Warner to accept a takeover offer, a person with knowledge of the situation said this week. Fox calculates that CNN could fetch as much as $8 billion should it be sold, the person said.

Bidding War

Fox's estimates for CNN's value are based on a typical multiple of 12 to 15 times earnings for media assets, the person said. If a bidding war among buyers were to erupt, CNN could go for as much as $10 billion, according to the person.

Time Warner surged 17 percent on July 16, after news broke of Murdoch's proposal. Smaller media companies including CBS also have seen their shares rise with the expectation that a deal for Time Warner would usher in a wave of consolidation among media companies.

Among major U.S. broadcasters, CBS is the most in need of more cable networks because it has relatively few, said Paul Sweeney, an analyst at Bloomberg Industries. CBS could use CNN to get access to 99 million U.S. households and millions more potential viewers around the globe.

CBS, which owns Showtime on cable along with the broadcast network, recently spun off its billboard business, bringing the company cash that could be used for deals.

"We're in a very advantageous position," said Moonves, who is chief executive officer. "Our balance sheet is very good."